Monday, July 14, 2008

19

Today is Monday, and also my birthday. I would lie and tell you I'm 29, but these days that only fools the people with white canes and guide dogs. I think we need another way to measure age. Let's see, in dog years, I'm 6.7142857142857142857142857. Or the square root of 2,209 (if you say that really fast it sounds like 29.)

We're not officially partying until tonight when my guy gets home from work, but this past weekend he arranged a lovely romantic dinner for us. I've shamelessly dropped hints for the last couple of weeks, so tonight when I unwrap my gifts I expect to find a reading lamp for the living room, a set of corn holders, and a new purse to replace the only one I own, which the Smithsonian has asked me to donate for their upcoming exhibit on Jurassic-era accessories.

On the professional front, things have been a little tough. My latest release didn't make it into many stores in time for the holiday weekend, and a significant piece of advertising for it that I had been counting on was misplaced or lost. It didn't seem fair, but Publishing rarely is, so I battened down the hatches and resigned myself to disappointing the folks in NY again. I even e-mailed my agent in advance and warned her how poor the book's performance was likely to be under the circumstances.

Then you guys go and put Twilight Fall at #19 on the New York Times mass market bestseller list. Now what do I say? Aside from Holy Toledo, is that really my book on there? and I have the best readers on the planet, I mean.

I honestly don't know what to say. I've written this post about two thousand times already, and no matter how much I edit it, I still sound like I'm babbling. I am so grateful to you, to all of you.

I'm 47 today, and my novel is 19. It's a gift I'll never forget. Thank you.

69 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, Lynn! And what a wonderful gift. ;) And I hope you will have many many more for all of the wonderful novels to come.

    Raising a toast to your happiness...

    -toni causey

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  2. Congratulations, it kind of creeps up on you doesn't it? I keep telling my kids I'm only 24 but some mongrel came along and slapped on extra numbers to confuse everyone... they don't think I'm funny. The weird thing is the older you get the more switched on you are and then you're wishing you could have your old body back so that you could take advantage of the wisdom you now have.. as the old saying goes 'Youth is wasted on the Young'.
    Have a good time tonight.

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  3. Then you guys go and put Twilight Fall at #19 on the New York Times mass market bestseller list.

    SQUEEE!!!
    I knew it, lol!
    Happy Birthday, Lynn.
    But I'd guess you're already halfway there. ;)

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  4. When I went in to buy it on the afternoon of the day it came out, the store didn't even have it on the shelves yet. But I hunted it down. Well worth it. Now I can't wait for the last one.

    Congratulations! Now you can put NYT bestseller on the last one, right?

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  5. I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday there! I hope you get everything you've been wishing for and more.

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  6. Anonymous4:40 AM

    Happy Birthday! Bonus Wishes & TopDraw Dreams! You deserve the List slot. I am keeping my thoughts toward the BSL top slot for Omega Dreams next month, too.

    Mary

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  7. Hurrah on both counts!

    Happy birthday!

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  8. Anonymous5:11 AM

    Happy Birthday!

    47 is a wonderful age. I know this personally, because I beat you to it by a scant 3 months.

    Also congratulations on 19. Another nice number.

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  9. What a great, and well deserved, birthday present!

    Congratulations and Happy Birthday to you. Enjoy your day, and the new purse. *grin*

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  10. Happy Birthday!!!

    (And mega congrats for your book's listing - that is Fabulous!)

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  11. Anonymous5:55 AM

    Happy birthday, and congrats on hitting 19!

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  12. Anonymous6:35 AM

    Happy birthday, and huge congratulations on the NYT placing!! Woohoo!!

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  13. Awesome. Congrats on both your birthday and Twilight Fall! I did finally nab a copy from Walmart, btw, and I got the last one. Hope another print run is shipping! I'm so glad despite Things Gone Wrong, your novel is 19.

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  14. Happy, Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day. Twilight Fall is #19 because it's a terrific book.

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  15. Happy Birthday, Lynn!

    FYI, when I went looking for Twilight Fall, the Borders was sold out, so I went to Barnes & Noble and bought their last copy. I finished it last night, and... Well, you're a goddess. I can't say much without giving any spoilers, but I totally didn't see that last bit coming. Actually there were several things in the book that snuck up on me and made me say "Wow! Why didn't I think of that?" You're awesome, the Darkyn books are awesome... Hurry up and get the next one out. I'm dying here. =o)

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  16. Happy Birthday!! Have a wonderful day. :)

    And many, many congrats on that #19 slot... Wow! Best birthday present ever - and you deserve it for all that you put into the writing community. I think it's only right you should get something back - right? *g*

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  17. Anonymous8:29 AM

    Happy Birthday, and Congrats! 47 isn't old!

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  18. Anonymous8:44 AM

    :) Happy Birthday & Happy 19!

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  19. Woo-hoo!!!!! I'm so happy for you, PBW! Have a wonderful birthday today!

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  20. Happy Birthday and that is a great present. Huge congrats!

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  21. Happy Birthday!! You are so generous with your drawings, I am entering your name in the drawing on my blog this week : )

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  22. YES! At last!

    I cannot think of a writer I think deserves this more, PBW.

    Happy birthday, and may this be the first of many wonderful pressies!

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  23. That's great news!! Have a happy bday. =)

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  24. Anonymous10:01 AM

    Happy Birthday! And congratulations on the NYT!!!

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  25. Anonymous10:26 AM

    Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

    Have a great time tonight.

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  26. Happy Birthday. I'll reach the 47 in October, and I think I need to cave in and finally get me reading glasses. *sigh* My younger brother has them for several years already.

    Congrats on the 19, too.

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  27. Anonymous10:33 AM

    Happy Birthday!!

    Congrats also from me on #19! It's really awesome, but readers don't have to expect anything less from you. I'll be off, getting my hands on a copy of TF right away, and I'm sure it will be (for want of a better expression) simply a great read, just like everything else I've gotten to read (i.e. devour) from you!

    Have a wonderful day!! :D

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  28. This post made my heart go squish. I love it when good things like this happen.

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  29. Took you long enough woman! I've been waiting and waiting and WAITING for you to post about how TF did!

    ((((((((Lynn)))))))) I'm thrilled to bits for you and I hope you have the most lovely birthday!

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  30. What a wonderful blog post to wake up to this morning. Happy Birthday! Congrats!! You go girl!!!
    I predict that the planets will be aligned for your January release, Stay the Night, and will blow all the other top NYT books out of the water.

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  31. Happy Birthday!

    #19 is a well deserved spot for Twilight Fall. Congratulations!

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  32. Happy Birthday, Lynn, and congrats on #19!

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  33. Happy birthday!

    See, didn't I tell you it would be #19?! You rock!

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  34. ***V. Start a petition to have people buy the book on the first couple of days of release so that you hit number 19. :D My bet is you come in at 19 or 17. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.***

    I rarely get to say this, so here it goes--told you so. ;) Congratulations and Happy Birthday, my friend. You're 47 years young. :) May you receive the purse, light, corn holders and many, many more gifts. This includes your new title New York Times Bestselling Author Lynn Viehl. Wear it proudly. You've MORE than earned it.

    Best wishes!

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  35. Anonymous1:54 PM

    Happy Birthday to you! And I'd like to say thank you to YOU! I don't remember how I found your blog, but because I did and started reading your books, my academic library has purchased two StarDoc books to add to their collection. I hope you get some new fans at MWSU.

    CZ, librarian

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  36. I will wish you a very Happy Birthday, and many congratulations on Making #19 on the Times list!!!!

    You should do what I do....Celebrate the birthdays, but count them any more. It's more fun that way.

    Have a wonderful time with your night out!

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  37. Aww, happy birthday and congrats on your book doing so well!

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  38. That's WONDERFUL!! Congrats on both numbers. :-)

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  39. Happy Birthday!!! I made the bookstore people go find it in the back on the first day of release. That is the second time I have had to do that LOL. Don't they know how important it is to get the book on day 1?? LOL

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  40. Happy Birthday and congratulations. I bought your book on the day it was released, but had to ask for it. After I asked for it, they put it on the shelf.

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  41. Happy Birthday, Lynn!!!!

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  42. Anonymous3:37 PM

    Congrats PBW!

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  43. Happy Birthday Lynn! You more than earned your #19 spot!

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  44. Congrats Lynn! Well deserved.

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  45. Happy Birthday, Lynn.

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  46. Anonymous5:57 PM

    Happy Birthday and Congrats, Lynn!! You are approaching the crone years, where we women get to be wise and mystical and wear purple hats if we want to. Enjoy your well deserved success and thank you so much for building such wonderful worlds for us readers to live in!!

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  47. Happy Birthday, Lynn.

    Bet you wouldn't trade the #19 for your birthday if meant trading your birthday # for your NYT slot. So - good all around and congrats!

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  48. Happy Birthday and congratulations.

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  49. May your birthday be a happy one and congrats on making the NYT list.

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  50. Anonymous7:05 PM

    Happy Birthday, and much love! I'm thrilled for you!!!

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  51. Jordan nailed it exactly, what a GREAT title: New York Times Bestselling Author Lynn Viehl.

    Happy Birthday!

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  52. Major, major congrats, Lynn! ::pats copy of Twilight Falls::

    And, Happy Birthday, Babes! (Yeah, you're still eligible for babedom, and don't you forget it!)

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  53. Anonymous8:53 PM

    Oh my! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And what a wonderful gift!!! Jordan was right! Squeeeeeeeee! Sorry LOL.

    NYT bestselling author! You rock the house lady, congrats.

    You must post pics of the purse! :)

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  54. Happy Birthday! I hope that you have had and continue to have a great one. And that is one of the greatest gifts to get on your birthday, congratulations, Lynn!!

    I wish you even more success in the future. Way to go!

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  55. Anonymous10:08 PM

    Happy Birthday! Sorry I'm a bit late to the party. And congrats on the book placing!

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  56. Happy Birthday! Congrats on the #19- a totally awesome and completely appropriate birthday present. And if you should happen to need (or want) a second purse, I live near a Fossil outlet and could send you one (considering how many times I've won prizes on your blog that would only be fair). :)

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  57. Anonymous10:43 PM

    Hippo Birdie two Ewes! And congrats!!!

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  58. Anonymous11:22 PM

    Happy B-Day Lynn!

    Congrats on the good news that "Twilight Fall" made it on the top 20 bestseller list. What a cool b-day gift.

    Terri W.

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  59. Happy Birthday! And congrats on #19!!! I hope you got all the other presents on your list as well. : )

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  60. Thanks, everyone, for all the lovely wishes. It has definitely been a birthday to remember.

    I did get my lamp (beautiful mission-style stained glass), and my new purse (sexy black leather.) No corn holders, though -- my family tells me that dishes shaped like ears of corn are not to be found anywhere in our area. They know because they spent the last two weeks looking for them. I'll have to take a ceramics class one day and make my own.

    According to my publisher's rules, I could not be called a NY Times bestselling author until a novel of mine broke into the top twenty of the list. So with TF coming in at #19, they can now put that on all my books. And trust me, this makes them very, very, very happy.

    Jordan, I don't call you the Oracle for nothing. You were right, and I should listen to you more often. :) Buffy, I'll have to think up a new cool psychic nickname for you.

    I still mostly can't believe it. I guess it'll sink in once my head comes down out of the clouds. If that ever happens.

    Good night, my friends.

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  61. Anonymous12:20 AM

    EEEEEEEEEE! *HUGS* CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Not that we EVER doubted. Seriously.)

    And happy happiest of birthdays. 47? Ya gotta be kiddin me.

    And you are at least right on one point: you DO have the best readers. :D

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  62. Hope you had a great night and that all your birthday wishes came true.

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  63. Hope you had a brilliant birthday complete with cake and happiness.

    Congrats on the NYTBS list!

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  64. Happy late birthday, PBW, and HOLY CRAP! You're awesome, and the Times finally knows it! WOOTAGE!!

    I'm doing the happy dance for you, dear. It looks a little like the potty dance, but with less squirming and turning red. At least, less squirming and turning red by me.

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  65. I'm late to this, but I love the series and TWILIGHT FALL was a great addition. Congratulations on your birthday and the book.

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  66. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!! Congrats on #19. I've got my fingers,toes, and eyes crossed for the #1 spot!

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  67. I'm late catching up on blogs this week. Belated birthday wishes and congratulations on 19!!! Woo woo! What a well-deserved feat. =)

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